Veterans Preservation Corps

Los Angeles
California

The Veterans Preservation Corps is an ongoing effort, and currently between projects, whose mission is to train and educate veterans of America's Armed Forces in the field of Historic Preservation crafts. The organization's long-term goal is to train veterans, and eventually support these vets in the preservation of historic structures at VA centers around the country, while ennabling the graduates of the program to be more likely to find jobs in this growing segment of the construction industry

The following images and text describe our recent successful pilot program at Heritage Square in Los Angeles.

Click on images below to enlarge.

Heritage Square near downtown Los Angeles was the laboratory for the first pilot program of the Veterans Preservation Corps.

This non-profit foundation is devoted to the preservation of the history of Los Angeles from c.1860 to 1920. All of the buildings on campus were saved from demolition and moved to the site near downtown Los Angeles over a period of 30 years beginning in the early 1970s.

The primary vision of the VPC was based upon a hands-on training program, similar to the method used when new employees are hired and integrated into the workforce of a specialty construction company.

Our model relied on a structure that had one experienced craftsman working with up to 6 trainees, supervising their workfrom the scaffolding.

Each trainee received hazmat training as part of the general introduction to construction and preservation practices. There were also classroom sessions on Preservation Theory, Victorian paint schemes, The Secretary’s Standards, Character-Defining Features and Styles, and other related Preservation subjects. This additional subject matter helped give greater context to what the trainees were experiencing in the ‘classroom’.

Additionally, scaffold and safety training as well as lead-awareness training augmented the ability of each trainee to function safely on the jobsite. It also gave an additional bonus in that possible future employers would not have to bear the expense of training these newly-hired craftspeople, thus giving them an advantage in the marketplace.

The trainee supervisors were actively engaged in monitoring and assisting the activities of each veteran.

The next step of training was in the use of the various power tools required to complete the refinishing process on wood structures.

Our program emphasized the methods used to generate the best possible results. We also acknowledged that in the real world of construction the trainees might be asked to cut corners, but at least they would be familiar with the right way of doing the work as a baseline experience.

Allowing the trainees this freedom and time in the performing of their work gave them the benefit of the experience of craftsmanship.

The trainees also received the extra experience of building a masonry retaining wall and installing salvaged historic brick veneer on several perimeter walls.

This hands-on training formed the core of the pilot program, and the results were unmistakable.

The increase in self-confidence and positive attitude of each trainee was easy to see with each passing day. The process of restoring the old structures became a form of rehabilitation and therapy in and of itself.

This old carriage house was repainted and refurbished for the first time in over 60 years.

The pilot program generated a win-win situation: preservation of buildings in need of help, and training for veterans to help make them more employable in the world of construction and historic preservation.

Our next project goals include that of helping to restore the Wadsworth Chapel and Trolley Stop on the WLAVA. Campus and our ultimate vision is to expand this program to Veterans Homes all over the country.